Latching device



Sept. 14, 1948. KEALY v 2,449,074

LATCHING DEVICE 1 Filed Aug. 11, 1945 V INVENTOR EDNA/Q0 M KEAL) BY ML LW ATTORNEY Fatented Sept. 14, 1948 UNITED STATES OFFICE LATCHING DEVICE E dward ;l\I.x- K ealy, Long Beach, Calif. Application August ll, 1945, Serial N0. 610,377 mciaims. (Cl..29-26 (Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

' amended Aprilfii), 1928; 370 0. G. 757) This invention relates to latching devicesand more particularly to latch'actuating means.

Objects of my invention are to provide-animproved latch actuating devicefor simultaneously actuating a plurality of latch bolts by the manipulation of a single operativemeans; to provide improved actuating neansfor translating reciprocal motion intoa gyratamotion; to accomplish the noted objeotsin ;a -fa ci1e, econorn ical, and efficient manner; and to provide improved elements and arrangements -thereof in a device of thegcharacterand for-the purposes set forth.

In accomplishing these and .other objects of the present invention, I have providedimproved details of structure, :the preferred form of :which is shown in the, accompanying drawing,-;where in:

Fig. 1 is an exploded view of the actuating device.

Fig. 2 is a plan view of a device embodying.

the features. of the presentdnvention, associated with alatchand mounted on.;a;1closureimember.

Fig. 3' is ,a front:elevation.of the-actuating device, showing iniull lines thei-partsthereof in latching position, andin, dotted lines thepnlato-h positions of :the swivel pin :and Jatchgbolts.

Referring more in detail to the; drawing:

In :Fig. .1, the number -l'-,i ndicates asubstantially rectangular flatplateor base of metal or other suitable material having small -apertures,-2 in its end portions and an enlarged circular opening. 3 intermediate the apertures.

Side portions or flanges {are disposed substantially perpendicular "to -the base I on each side of theopening 3 so as-to provide asubstantially U-shaped or channel portion. The side portions 4 have cam ways 5 formed therein con sisting of elongated openings or slots canted equally .and oppositely from;a',plane transverse to the base I and passing throughthe axis of-the circular opening-3. r

A cylindrical push button or element 6 slidably engages within the opening 3 of the base or plate and has a coaxial cylindrical extension I of reduced diameter formed on its inner end.

A swivel pin or gyrate member 8, having a central opening 9 and apertures l0 formed in its ends, is positioned in, and controllably engaged by, the cam ways 5.

The swivel pin 8 is secured to the push button 6 by the extension 1 engaging within the opening 9 and having its extremity upset or enlarged. So mounted, the swivel pin 8 pivots 0n the push button 6 and is directed in gyrate motion by the cam ways 5 in response to reciprocal motion of the push button.

A fiat spring member II bears against the upsetextremity of the extension I to resist .inward movement of the push button 6 and-the swivel pin 8. Suitable screws lZare adapted to extend through theapertures 2 andreceivenuts I3 for fastening the base to the closure [4, .as shown in Fig. 2, and to secure the spring [I to said base.

In Fig. 2, an exemplary mounting of the depin 8 may be arranged to engage suitablekeepers 20, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3,in addition to the engagement of the bolts I5 withthe keepers 19. ;Of course, thebolts [5 maybe eliminated' when the swivel pin 8 functions as a latch.

button: 6 thrusting it inwardly againstthe' resiste ing pressure of the spring ll.

As-thepush button 6 moves inwardly the swivel pin B .mounted thereonis directed in ;a gyrate ,path by the cam ways fi. I The ,arcuate ;rnovement of the ends of the swivel pint retracts the latch ,bolts IE, to disengage the keepers l9 and release the closure.

To relatch the closure 14, the same is returned to place, the latch bolts l5 being automatically retracted b the action of the bevelled ends l8 and so maintained until reengaged with their keepers by the outward pressure of the spring member H.

The operation of the latch bolts l5 as described is an exemplary use of the actuating device of this invention. In addition, however, latch keepers 28 may be provided as shown in Fig. 3 to engage the ends of the swivel pin 8 to provide an additional or alternate latching arrangement.

While I have shown but one embodiment of my invention, it is apparent that the device is susceptible to modification without departing from the spirit of the invention. I do not wish, therefore, to be limited by the disclosures set forth, but only by the scope of the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

I claim:

1. A latch comprising a base member havin an opening formed therein, two side elements supported substantially at right angles to the base member having formed therein a pair of juxtaposed cam slots consisting of elongated openings equally and oppositely canted from a plane vertical to the base member and formed in spaced relation to the opening, a cylindrical push button element slidably engaged within the opening of the basemember and having a coaxially formed cylindrical extension of reduced diameter, ,a swivel pin member pivotally supported near its midpoint on the push button extension and extended through the cam slots so as to be directed thereby and have its end portion moved through arcuate paths in response to reciprocal movement of the push button element, a spring member mounted on the base member and positioned to bear against the extension of the push button element and resist inward'longitudinal movement thereof, and latch bolts pivotally connected to the end portions of the swivel pin, the ends of said latch bolts and swivel pin being adapted to en gage latch keepers.

2. In a latch of the character described, a base member having mounting openings and push button receiving opening formed therein, side elements supported substantially perpendicular thereto having cam slots formed therein, a push button positioned in the opening, a swivel pin pivotally mounted on the inner end of the push button, and extended through the cam slots so as to be directed thereby to cause its outer ends to describe spiral paths in response to push button movement, a spring supported by the base member in a position resistive to the inward motion of the push button, and latch bolts pivotally secured to the extended end portions of the swivel pin and actuated thereby in the engaging and disengaging of latch keepers.

3. A latch comprising a channel shaped base member having an opening formed in its bottom, the sides of the channel shaped base member having juxtaposed cam slots consisting of elongated latch bolt members cooperatively engaged and activated by the outer end portions of the swivel pin in response to push button operation.

4. In a latch of the character described, a channel shaped supporting member, having an opening formed therein, a push button slidably positioned in said opening, a swivel pin pivotally mounted on the inner end of the push button, cam slots provided in the base member and engaged by the swivel pin so as to rotate said pin as it is moved by the longitudinal motion of the push button, a spring positioned to resist inward thrust of the push button, and latch bolts motivated by the swivel pin to engage and disengage latch catches.

5. In a latch of the character described, a substantially channel shaped support member having a plunger receiving opening formed in the bottom portion thereof and substantially perpendicular side portions provided with cam slots, a plunger element positioned in the opening provided therefor, a swivel pin member cooperatively linked to the plunger and movable in the cam slots to translate reciprocal motion of the plunger into gyratory motion of the swivel pin for the purpose of engaging and disengaging latch keepers, and a spring means engaged to the plunger element and swivel pin linkage resistive to un-' latching movement thereof.

6. A latch comprising a substantially channel shaped support member, having cam ways provided therein, a push button member mounted in the support member in spaced relation to thecam ways, a swivel pin element actuated by the push button member and so mounted as to be turned about a'pivot point by cam way engagement in response to push button movement, to engage and disengage latch keepers, and a sprin mounted on the support member resistive to inward movement of the push button member and swivel pin,

'7. In a latch of the character described, a support member having a plunger receiving opening and cam slots formed therein, a plunger element positioned in the opening provided therefor, a swivel pin member articulatedly connected to the plunger and movable in the cam slots to translate reciprocal motion of the plunger into gyratory motion of the swivel pin, latch bolt means articulatedly connected to said swivel pin member and spring means for resisting motion of said plunger element and swivel pin linkageI EDWARD M KE'ALY.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

'UNITED STATES PATENTS Anderson Aug. 12, 1941 

